“A Very Fine Wine…”

I was lucky to spend a Saturday morning in February with Morgan and Dan – we were all lucky that it was a beautiful and unseasonably warm day!

It’s so sweet when there’s a little something personal behind the locations my couples and I choose for their engagement and pre-wedding photos! For Morgan and Dan, City Winery and Chicago’s Riverwalk mark a very special milestone in their relationship.

“Chicago Style Engagement”

A quick peek at Jenny and Greg’s Chicago engagement photos. The city provided a beautiful backdrop for a beautiful couple!

From Greg’s surprise proposal in the presence of both of their families to the joy and obvious love they showed for each other during our session, I can only imagine the happiness their wedding day will bring. I can’t wait to capture their celebration!

“It’s a (my) family affair”

Full disclosure: I know the groom-to-be here very well. In fact, I’ve known him his whole life…he’s my youngest brother. And he’s getting married!!! I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry, but I’m tearing up just typing those words. I am so full of love and happiness and excitement for Jason and his fiancée Shelley that I could just BUST!

We were lucky enough to sneak in a mini engagement session a few weeks ago, on a blustery, miserable, rainy Sunday afternoon – perfect! An engagement session was something I really wanted to do with them, have a little fun, make some photos of them that, hopefully, they will enjoy for years to come (as I’m writing this, they haven’t seen the images yet, so I’m crossing my fingers that they find something in here they like…!). It’s a gift that, as a photographer, I never, ever get tired of giving. And it’s even more special when it’s for family.

“Love in the Financial District”

When Monica and Tim said they wanted to use the Chicago Financial District and Union Station for their engagement session, I was very excited. That part of the downtown area is full of little alleys and interesting views. And Union Station…it’s gorgeous!

They liked to laugh and were so relaxed with each other – such a pleasure! And I was also thrilled to photograph their wedding.

“Love in Queen City”

I was in Charlotte visiting family for Easter when I received an email from Cailtin, asking if I remembered her from her sister Whitney’s wedding, which I had photographed a few years ago. She was recently engaged and wanted to know if I’d be willing to come back for her own wedding and Charlotte engagement session. Of course I did! And, of course I would! I was so honored and couldn’t wait to work with this sweet family again.

“Fur Babies, too!”

When Yvonne and Greg asked if we could include their dogs in their downtown Chicago engagement session, I was excited! I love when couples make the session their own, adding pets or other things to the session that are significant to them. There was also champagne…

Lights, Camera…Action!

I’m used to being behind the camera, and occasionally in front of a video camera at weddings and events, but this undertaking was something very different. At weddings, the subjects are the bride and groom and their guests, so if I happen to get on camera, it’s just part of their day, as I’m part of their day. This, though…this was about me. And not just me, but me, making real photographs of real clients at a real engagement session. While being videotaped. And occasionally interviewed during the process. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done!